The anticipation for this game started all the way back in early June when the Argentine made the decision to leave PSG and turn down interest from the ever growing Saudi Arabian League in a internet-breaking move to join Inter Miami. Ever since the announcement was made that his first game would be against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup; fans, media and celebrities started to flock to Fort Lauderdale. Names like Lebron James, Serena Williams, and Kim Kardashian topped the list. A game with so much build-up and media hype came to a halting stop as the starting eleven was announced and Lionel Messi was on the bench.
Tonight’s Starting XI vs Cruz Azul#CAZvMIA | 8:00PM ET |? #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/xAKfYsdSf5
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 21, 2023
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As the game started, it’d be Cruz Azul creating the big chances, starting as quickly as just four minutes into the game midfielder Moisés would dribbles past two defenders before trying to find the bottom corner of the net only to be stopped by Miami keeper Drake Callender. Then just five minutes later, winger Carlos Rotondi would beat Miami defender Ian Fray for pace, cut inside, and curl a shot past Callender as it would just bounce off the woodwork and into the path of Cruz Azul striker Diber Abonia who had the whole net to aim for and somehow shot it over the bar.
The game would come to a bit of the lull on the back end of the first half as both teams started to grow into their shells, then just on the cusp of half time it’d Miami winger Robert Taylor who’d score the first goal of the game. Taylor’s opposite side winger Robbie Anderson would switch play with a looping cross that Taylor would take down instantly cut inside of his marker, then just inside the box he’d shoot it low and hard and kiss it off the inside of the post to take the lead for Inter Miami in the 44th minute.
Taylor puts us on the board ???
Robbie Robinson ➡️ Robert Taylor to give us the lead in in our opening @LeaguesCup match!#CAZvMIA | 0-1 | ? #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/1qXPn2xPV8
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023
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It’d come in the 54th minute, the moment all of the football world had been waiting upon. Messi would be brought on for sub for Benjamin Cremaschi and there wasn’t a person sitting down as DRV Pink Stadium erupted. The sheer joy of this moment wouldn’t last long for Messi or Inter Miami as just eleven minutes later Cruz Azul would level up the score and make it 1-1 in the 65th minute. It’d be the Mexican international Uriel Antuna who’d scored the goal after taking a quick touch in the box and firing off low into Miami’s net and there was nothing keeper Callendar could do.
The next 40 minutes it’d be all Cruz Azul as the Mexican side would look to fully crash Inter Miami’s party, they’d test Miami’s defense and keeper Callendar all night as the American GK would rake up seven saves on the night. The biggest one coming in the 88th minute as Cruz Azul would create and excellent chance in Miami’s box and the ball would fall to midfielder Jesús Dueñas who took a quick first time shot that was hard and low but Callendar would be equal with one hand save that kept Miami in the game.
Just as it looked the game may end in a 1-1 draw, Miami would earn a free-kick on the edge of the box. Then in the 94th minute, Lionel Messi did what Lionel Messi does and score a goal that will replay in football fans heads for a long time to come as Inter Miami would win 2-1.
El primer gol de Messi con Inter Miami ????
Messi scores in his first match with the club to give us the lead in the 94th minute. pic.twitter.com/pI7bYjEK63
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023
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Inter Miami
